Electric switch



July 14, 1931. w. A. CHRYST IETAL ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Aug. 5, 1927 76 7e 7549 l 74 a 73 a? MFR and; a 30 IEIW TI Patented July 14, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 INDIANA, PORATION OF DELAWARE NORVIEL, OF ANDERSON, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A

ELECTRIC SWITCH Application filed August 5, 1927. Serial No. 210,897.

-1o nected with the usual electrical apparatus of the automobile such as the generator, the

storage battery, the ignition circuit, the

lighting circuit and the electric horn.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of embodiment of one-form of the present invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of a unitary circuit breaker embodying the present invention.

Fig.

2 is an end view thereof in the direc- 2 tion of arrow 2 in Fig. 1 andincludes a wiring diagram showing the manner of connecting the structure with other electrical apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a plan view in the direction of arrow 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the spring member providing one of the switch contacts.

Figs. 5 and 6 are bottom and edge views,

respectively, of a bracket which supports the movable contacts of the manually operable switch.

Figs; 7, 8 and 9 are fragmentary sectional views showing the manner of attaching the operating rod of the manually operable switch 'to the bracket shown in Figs. 5 and 6.

The present invention includes the combination of a manually operable switch with an overload circuit breaker of the intermittently operating type such as is shown in the co-pending application of N. R. Haas, Serial No. 551,893, filed April 12, 1922. This circuit breaker comprises a U-shaped magnet frame 20 which is attached by screws 21 to a bracket 22 having a base 23 attached by rivets 24 to a non-conducting block 25 w ch is attached by rivets 26 to a mounting bracket 27. The block 25 insulatingly supports a conducting plate 28 havmg one or more terminal screws 29 to which a' wire 30 connected with an electric'lamp switch 31, may be attached for making connection with a' lighting circuit including one or more lamps 32. The plate 28 is connected by a wire 33 with the magnet coil 34, the other end of which is connected with a contact 35 which is' insulatingly supported u on the frame 20. The contact 35 1s norma ly-engaged by a contact 36 carried by a spring conductor 37 which is riveted at 38a to the frame 20. As explained in detail in the copending application referred to, when the coil 34 receives an abnormal flow of current an armature 38 will be attracted toward the right of Fig. 1 to cause the separation of the contact 36 from the contact 35. Motion is transmitted from the armature 38 to the contact 36 through a non-magnetizable rod 39 extending through the magnet coil and the contact 35 which is in the form of a ring. At the instant the circuit through the coil 34 is broken, a spring 40 will cause the armature 38 to move toward the left and strike against the plate 25 and will permit the contact 36 to enga e the contact 35 due to the resiliency of t e spring 37. As long as the abnormal flow of current continues this cycle of operation will be repeated in order to intermittently interrupt the flow of current to the magnet coil to produce an audible signal by the striking of the armature head against the plate 25 and to reduce the flow ofcurrent to a safe average value.

The magnet frame 20 provides one of the terminals of the circuit breaker and sup ports a resilient sheet metal conductor 41 shown in plan View in Fig. 4. This conductor is provided with resilient arms 42 between which is a shorter resilient arm 43. The conductor 41 is secured to the frame 20 by rivets 44 which pass through holes 45 in the conductor 41. The plate 25 insulatingly supports brackets 46 and 47 having terminal screws 48 and 49, respectively,

' 55. Plate is attached by for connecting respectively with a generator 50 and an ignition apparatus 51. Each of the brackets 46 and 47 is provided with two spaced depressions 52 and 53 shown particularly in Figs. 1 and3. Each contact bracket 46, 47 is electrically connected to one of the contact fingers 42 by a metal rivet 54, both ends of which provide switch contacts and the shank of which passes through a non-conducting supporting plate rivets 56 to a bracket 57 having holes 58 for receiving these rivets. The bracket 57 is attached to an operating rod 59 in a manner shown more clearly in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. Initially the bracket 57 is in the form shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8. The leg 60 of the bracket is provided with an ear 61 formed from some of the metal which has been punched away from the bracket to provide an opening 62 extending partly into the leg 60 of the bracket and partly into the leg 63. Thus the leg 63 provides a notch portion which is adapted to be received an annular groove 64 adjacent one end of the rod 59.

Movement of the rod 59 and the bracket 57 relative to one another will cause them to be engaged as shown in Fig. 8, and after they have been assembled, they may be retained in this relation by bending the lug 61 into the position 61a shown in Figs. 1 and 9.

Before the rod and bracket are assembled the rod is providedv with a longitudinal groove and a transverse groove 71 which respectively receive the legs 72 and 73 of an L-shaped spring wire member, the legs 72 being bowed so that normally its ends may engage the bottom of the groove "70 while its intermediate ortion extends outside of the groove. The bracket 27. and the plate 25 su-pporta-bushing 74 which is riveted'at 75 against a washer 76 so'that the washer 76, the plate 25 and the bracket 27are clamped against a shoulder 77 provided by the bushing 74. A handle 78-is attached to the rod 59 and the rod with the spring member 72, 73 in-position is passed through the bushing 74 after which the rod 59 may be connected withthe bracket 57 in the manner described. The resilient wire member 72 presses at its ends against the rod 59 and at its arch portion against the bushing 74 in order to prevent rattling of the rod relative to the bushing and thus to eliminate noise.

The bracket 22 supports terminal screws 1 80 and 81 which may be connected respectively with a battery 82 and a horn 83 which is controlled by a switch 84.

It is therefore apparent that the present invention provides a unitary structure which may be readily connected with the essential electrical systems of automobiles, namely, the batter with the brackets 46 and generator, ignition apparatus,

light and horn. When the e e is not running the automobile may receive hting current from the battery 82 through t e terminal screw .80, the bracket 22, in

wire 30, switch 31 connected with the lamp 32. Likewise current for operating the horn 83 ma be conducted from the battery 82, throug the terminal 80, bracket 22, and'terminal 81. In order to start the engine, the switch handle 78 is pulled toward the order to connect the conductor contacts 42 47 by means of the contact rivets 54. This will connect thegen erator 50 and the ignition apparatus 51 with the battery 82. Before the generator volta e exceeds the battery voltage, the battery will supply current to the ignition apparatus through the following connections: terminal 80, bracket 22, ma 42, rivet 54, brac et 47 and terminal 49. When the generator voltage exceeds the battery voltage the battery will be charged through the following circuitsi generator 50, terminal 48, bracket 46, rivet- 54, conductor 42, magnet frame .20, bracket 22, terminal 80, battery 82. a

Other lighting circuits may be connected with the battery or generator by wires connected with terminal screws 29a and 29b carried by the plate 28. In case of accidental, short circuit of any of the lightin circuits the circuit breaker will automatica ly operate in order to produce an audible signal indicating the presence of a short circuit and to reduce the average current to a safe value. This operation may take place 7 paratus or without interfering with the operation of the horn.

In case the contact rivets 54 become worn I so that proper contact is not made by them with the conductors'42 or the brackets 46 and 47, the lug 61 is gripped by pliers and bent into the position shown in Fig. 8 so that the contact rivet and bracket assembly may be removed and be replaced by a new one. 1 'While the form of embodiment of the present invention as herein'disclosed,-consti tutes a preferred form, .it is to be understood that other forms mi coming within the scope 0 follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

prising a base, a terminal bracket secured to the base, a magnet frame supported by the bracket, a magnet coil and a movable armature supported by the frame, interrupter contacts supported by the frame, one

ing insulated and connected with the magnet coil, a leaf net frame 20, conductor ht be adopted, all the claims which spring conductor attached et frame 20, conductor 37, c0ntacts 36, 35, coil '40, plate 28, terminal 29,

left in Fig. 1'in 1. An electric circuit breaker unit comv to the frame and carrying the other contact, a second leaf spring conductor attached to the frame, a second terminal bracket secured to the base, andinsulated from the frame, a movable conductor for making contact with the second terminal bracket and the second leaf spring conductor, and means for moving said movable conductor to open and close circuits through said second mentioned terminal bracket and leaf spring conductor;

2. An electric circuit breaker comprising a non-conducting base, a rigid conducting bracket attached to the base, a leaf spring conductor supported by the base, and insulated from the bracket, a flexible non-conducting contact carrier movable between the bracket and spring conductor, acontact rivet carried by the carrier and movable into engagement with the spring conductor and the bracket, and a movable rod for moving the carrier, said carrier being attached to the rod by a connector bracket secured to the carrier, the rod and connector bracket having interlocking provisions forming an articulated coupling maintained in operable association by an obstructing lug permitting the detachment of the bracket from the rod by lateral movement of the one with respect to the other after bending out said lug.

3. An electric circuit breaker comprising a non-conducting base, a rigid conducting bracket attached to the base, a leaf spring conductor supported by the base, and insulated from the bracket, a flexible non-conducting contact carrier movable between the bracket and spring conductor, a contact rivet carried by the carrier, and movable into engagement with the spring conductor and the bracket, and a movable rod slidable through a guide-bushing attached to the base is employed for moving the carrier, and lateral movement of the rod being resisted partly by the leaf spring conductor in urgmg the carrier laterally toward the rigid contact bracket and partly by an arched resilient wire extending through the bushing and carried in longitudinal grooves in the rod. I

4. An electric circuit breaker com rising a non-conducting base, a rigid con uctmg bracket attached to the base, a leaf spring conductor supported by the base, and insulated from the bracket, a flexible non-conducting contact carrier movable between the bracket and spring conductor, a contact rivet carried by the carrier and movable into engagement with the spring conductor and the bracket, and a movable rod 1s employed for moving the carrier, the earner being-attached to the rod by a connector bracket secured to the carrier,the rod and connector bracket having interlocking provisions and a bendable lug carrying the end of said rod but permitting-the detachment of the bracket from the rod by lateral movement of the one with respect to the other.

5. An electrical circuit breaker com rising a base, a conducting bracket attac ed to the base, a second conductor supported by the base and insulated from the bracket, a contact carrier movable between the bracket and said second conductor, a contact carried by the carrier and movable into engagement with the second conductor and the bracket, the contact member being urged by the said second conductor against the bracket, and means for moving the carrier, comprising a movable rod connected thereto by a connector bracket secured to the carrier and having separable and interlocking connections a locking connections of the rod and conductor bracket include an annular groove in the rod, an openin in the bracket to receive the grooved end 0 the rod, and an ear or lug on the bracket bendable to normally retain the parts in interlocking relation, and also permittin the detachment of thecbracket from the ro bydateral movement of the one with respect to the other when the ear or lug is bent to another position.

7. An electrical circuit breaker com rising a base, a relatively rigid conducting racket attached to the base, a leaf spring conductor supported by the base, and insulated from the bracket, a flexible non-conducting contact carrier movable between the bracket and spring conductor, a contact rivet carried by the carrier and movable into engagement with the spring conductor and the bracket, the bracket having recesses in which an end of the rivet is received in its switch-closed and switch-open ositions, the rivet being urged by the spring conductor against the e carrier bracket, and means formoving t comprising a movable rod connected thereto by a connector bracket'secured to the carrier and having separable and interlocking connections with the rod permitting the detachment of the bracket from the rod by lateral movement of the one with respect to the other.

8. An electrical circuit breaker comprising a base, a relatively rigid conducting bracket attached to the base, a leaf spring conductor supported by the base, and insulated from the bracket, a flexible non-conducting contact carrier movable between the bracket and spring conductor, a contact rivet carried by the carrier and movable into en agement with the spring conductor an the bracket, the bracket having recesses 1n which an end of the rivet is received in its switchclosed and switch-open positions, the rivet et, and means r moving the carthereto by-a'connector bracket secured to the carrier and having separable and interlocking connections with the rod including an annular groove in the rod, an openin in the bracket to receive the grooved end the rod, and an ear or lug on the bracket bendprising a base, a terminal bracket secured able to normally retain theparts in interlocking -relation and also permitting the detachment of the bracket from the rod by lateral movement of the one with respect to the other when the ear or lug'is bent to another position. I

9. An electrical circuit breaker comprising a base, a relatively rigid conducting bracket attached to the base, a leaf spring conductor supported by the base, and insulated from the bracket, a non-conducting plate movable between the bracket an spring conductor, and means for moving the p ate comprising a movable rod connected thereto by a connector bracket secured to the plate and having separable and interlocklng connections withthe rod including an annular groove in the rod, an opening in the bracket to re eive the grooved end of the rod, and an ear or lug on the bracket bendable to normally retain the parts in interlocking relation and also permitting the detachment of the bracket from the rod by lateral movement of theone with respect to theother when the ear or lug is bentito an other position. a

10. An electric circuit breaker unit comot the base, a magnet frame supported by the bracket, a magnet coil and-a movable armature supported by the frame, interrupter contacts supported by the frame, one

being insulated and connected with the mags net coil, a leaf spring conductor attached to the frame and carrying the other contact, a second leaf spring conductor attached to theframe, a'second terminal bracket secured to the base, and'insulated from the frame, a

' member movable between the bracket and leaf spring conductor, and means for moving said member for electrically connecting and disconnecting one of said\ terminal brackets and one of said leaf spring conductors.

11. An electric circuit breaker unit comprising a base, a terminal bracket secured to thebase, a magnet frame supported by the bracket, a ma et coil and a movable armature supported by the frame, interru ter contacts supportedv by the frame, one being insulated and connected with the magnet 0011, a leaf spring conductor attached to the.

frame and carrying the other contact, a second leafspring conductor attached to the frame, a second terminal bracket secured to the base, and insulated from the frame, a

v 12. An electric circuit breaker unit comprising a base, a terminal bracket secured to the base, a magnet frame supported by the bracket, a magnet coil and a movable armature supported b the frame, interrupter contacts supporte by the frame, one being I insulated and connected with the vmagnet coil, a leaf'spring conductor attached to the frame and carrying the other contact, a second leaf sprin conductor attached to the member movable between the bracket and frame, a secon terminal bracket secured to the base, and insulated from the frame, a

member movable between thebracket and leaf spring conductor, and means for moving said member for electrically connectin .and disconnecting one? of 'said termina brackets and oneof said leaf spring conductors, said'magnet coil and armature operable for electrically connecting and disconnecting another terminal bracket leafspring conductor.

13. An electric circuit breaker unit comprising a base, a terminal bracket secured to the base, a magnet frame supportedbythe bracket, a magnet coil and a movable armature supported by the frame, interrupter contacts supported by the frame, one being insulated and connected with the ma coil, a leaf spring conductor attached to the frame and carrying the other contact, asecond leaf spring conductor attached to the frame,a second terminal bracket secured to the base, andinsulated from the frame, a

member movable between. the bracket and i leaf spring conductor, and means? for moving said member, for electrically connecting and disconnecting said second terminal bracket and said second leaf spring conand another i ductor, the magnet coil and armature operable for electricallyconnecting and disconnecting said first terminal bracket and said first leaf spring conductor.

14. An electric circuit breaker unit comprising abase, a terminal bracket secured to the base, .a magnet frame supported by the bracket, a magnet coil and a movable armature supported by the frame, interru ter contacts supported by the frame, one e.-

ing insulated and-connectedwith the magnet coil, a leaf spring conductor attached to the frame and carrying the other contact, a I

second leaf spring conductor attached to the frame, a second terminal bracket secured to the base, and insulated from the frame, a member movable between leaf spring conductor,'and means for moving said member for electrically connecting the bracket and and disconnecting said second terminal bracket and said second leaf spring conductor, the magnet coil and armature being operable to electrically connect and disconnectsaid interrupter contacts.

15. An electric circuit breaker unit comprising a base, a terminal bracket secured to the base, a magnet frame supported by the bracket, a magnet coil and a movable armature supported by the frame, interrupter contacts supported by the frame, one being insulated and connected with the magnet coil, a leaf spring conductor attached to the frame and carrying the other contact, a

second leaf spring conductor attached to the frame, a second terminal bracket secured to the base, and insulated from the frame, a member movable between the bracket and leaf spring conductor, and means for moving said member for electrically connectin and disconnecting said second termina bracket and said second leaf spring conductor, the magnet coil and armature being operable to electrically connect and disconnect 5 said interrupter contacts and to produce a warning when circuits through said coil are traversed by currents of abnormal voltage.

In testimony whereof we hereto aflix our signatures.

WILLIAM A. CHRYST.

-' HARRY E. NORVIEL. 

